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You've made it through the hiring process and landed the offer. Congrats! Now, all that's left before you sign your new-hire paperwork is making sure the salary is right.
Not every offer lands where you hoped. If you need to negotiate, do it with confidence. Make a strong case for your worth without coming across as demanding or unrealistic. Here's how.
Don't negotiate before you have a written offer. Bringing up salary too early can make you look more focused on pay than the role itself.
If a recruiter asks for your salary expectations early in the process, it's fine to give a range based on your market research rather than a hard number. This keeps your options open without shutting down the conversation. A good recruiter can help you navigate timing and even raise the topic on your behalf.
Skipping salary research is a common mistake that can cost you a better offer. Successful negotiations start with knowing exactly how you measure up against people with similar skills and experience.
The key: use data to support your case. To learn your earning potential, use our salary guides, which feature salaries across roles, industries, and locations. Or talk it through with your Michael Page recruitment consultant. We track market rates across every sector we recruit for. Contacts in similar roles are worth a conversation, too. The more real-world data you bring to the table, the stronger your position.
Market rates are your benchmark, but don't lose sight of your own financial needs. Would the job mean relocating? How does the cost of living compare? Could you get by on your current salary, or do you need more?
Once you've mapped that out, bring three figures to the table:
Your target range sits between the last two, and you should always open at the top of it, so there's room to negotiate down.
Your value isn't the only factor in play. Few, if any, companies have an unlimited budget to draw on, so it pays to understand the constraints before you sit down to negotiate.
Look into the company's financial performance and recent staff movements. You already know your industry, but take it further and research what other experts are saying about where the market's headed. That way, you can anticipate objections before they come up.
Sometimes a slightly lower salary is worth it for the right benefits package. For example, if your new health insurance costs less than your current plan, that changes the math on what you actually need. Before you finalize your number, weigh up the full offer:
Talking money can feel personal and uncomfortable, but negotiating well for yourself signals to your employer that you'd bring that same skill to the role.
When approaching the conversation, consider:
Not every salary negotiation ends in a pay bump. If the employer can't move on salary, you have a few options:
Once you've agreed on a number, make sure your final salary and any negotiated benefits are confirmed in writing before you sign. This protects both you and your new employer and avoids any confusion down the line.
For more career tips, browse our articles or get in touch with a recruiter in your industry to talk through your options.
Michael Page Is One of the leading recruitment firms in the U.S. Specializing in Recruiting Roles Across a Variety of Sectors for Over 40 Years. With Offices Across the US, Our Consultants Are Experts in Their Field of Work, Providing Organizations ...
